A randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of zoledronate gel as a local drug delivery system in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: A clinical and radiological correlation

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of local drug delivery system of zoledronate (ZLN) gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of human periodontal intrabony defects clinically and radiographically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty intrabony defects (three walled and combined defects without involving furcation) in moderate to severely affected forty chronic periodontitis patients (range, 30–50 years) were randomly divided into two groups and treated either with 0.05% ZLN gel (ZLN n = 20; 1 dropout) or placebo gel (control group [CG] n = 20) after SRP. Clinical parameters such as plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), tooth-specific pocket probing depth (T(s) PPD), and clinical attachment levels (TsCAL) were assessed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months using occlusal acrylic stent. Radiographic parameters were assessed at baseline and 6 months, utilizing “ONIS 2.5 PROFESSIONAL” and “SYNGO” software compatible with DentaScan to measure the volumetric bone changes in intrabony defects. RESULTS: In intragroup comparisons, both groups showed significant PI and GI reduction (P < 0.001) after treatment at 3 and 6 months. In intergroup comparisons, T(s) PPD reduction and T(s) CAL gain were significant only in ZLN at 6 months from both baseline and 3 months. Radiographically, significant reduction in defect depth and buccolingual width with volumetric defect gain of 40.24% ± 7.44% in ZLN compared to insignificant gain of 1.60% ± 4.06% in CG was observed at 6 months. CONCLUSION: ZLN gel applied subgingivally in intrabony defects resulted in significant improvements both clinically and radiographically.